Below you will find answers to the most common (and interesting) frequently asked questions that we have encountered over the years.

Did we miss something? Send us your questions at info@1812house.com.

GENERAL:

Where did the name Matthews 1812 House come from?

Matthews 1812 House is named after the Matthews family farmhouse built in 1812. Originally a working dairy farm, we baked all of our products in the farmhouse until 1990. Blaine and Deanna Matthews still live in the farmhouse, though the company is now located about a mile from the house. We are proud to be family owned and operated since 1979.

Do you make everything I see on your site?

We bake all of the items we offer in our facility in Cornwall, CT. We also distribute chocolates and candies from other artisans.

You sound familiar- have I seen you somewhere?

Probably! We’ve been featured in lots of publications over the years, including Good Morning America!, the New York Times, and Food Finds on the Food Network. We also won Product of the Year from the CT Specialty Food Association for our Chocolate-dipped Hazelnut Cookies in 2015. Keep in touch! Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/1812house.

1812? Wasn’t there a War of 1812? What should I know about that year?

1812 was an interesting year. James Madison was president. The War of 1812 was declared against Great Britain, (which included the United States invading Canada and ended in 1815 with the Treaty of Ghent). It was also the year Charles Dickens was born. There’s also the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky which was written in 1880 to celebrate Russia’s defeat of Napoleon. And a final fun fact- in 1812 the Waltz was first introduced into English ballrooms, though many considered the dance immoral.

I’m a fan, where can I see more?

You can find us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter! We also posts videos on our YouTube page.

PRODUCTS:

Are your products all natural? What ingredients do you use?

We use the finest ingredients available- real butter, egg, vanilla extract, etc. You will see a complete list of ingredients on each of our product pages. We offer several products that are gluten-free, sugar free, and no sugar added for those on special diets.

Why do your cookies/chocolates vary in size or shape?

Our cookies are made in small batches and may vary in size or appearance, just as yours would at home! Many of the chocolates we sell are hand-dipped and will also vary.

Do you have products that are for special diets like Sugar Free/Gluten-Free/Vegan?

Yes! You’ll find a Sugar Free, Vegan and Gluten-free sections on our website under "Special Diet". Our gluten-free cookies won several awards from the CT Specialty Food Association. We think you’ll love them!

What’s the difference between the Brandied Apricot Cake and the Heirloom Fruit & Nut Cake?

The Brandied Apricot Cake is marinated in brandy- it also has more apricots, fewer dates, and a lighter, slightly less dense batter. The Fruit & Nut cake has a honey brown sugar batter, more dates and pecans, and a deeper flavor. Neither cake has any candied or citron fruits. These cakes are more tart than sweet. We have heard they remind people of their grandmother’s nut cakes! We recommend trying our Cognac Hard Sauce with either cake.

Should I refrigerate or freeze my order when it arrives?

In many cases you will want to refrigerate your order upon receipt. Cookies should not be refrigerated. Most of our items can be frozen if you do not plan to eat them in the next couple of days. Please refer to each item on our website for specifics.

Are your products Non-GMO?

Most of our products contain butter and egg- two of the trickiest ingredients to verify as Non-GMO. To certify these products you must certify that the feed eaten by the cows and chickens is non-GMO, which can get quite complicated. We do our best to source carefully and responsibly.

Are you products available for wholesale?

Yes! Some of our items are available for wholesale. Email us at info@1812house.com for more information.

I have a product idea, who do I send it to?

You can email us at info@1812house. We spend months developing our recipes to be shelf stable and able to be shipped across the country (and sometimes the globe!). If there’s something you’d like us to work on, let us know!

SHIPPING:

Where does my order ship from?

All orders ship from our facility in Cornwall, Connecticut.

What does it mean “Note: This item may require additional/expedited shipping charges during warmer weather."?

Chocolate and other heat sensitive items such as caramel or icing will need to be shipped with ice packs during the warmer months. This often means additional shipping charges to speed up delivery- such as 2^nd Day Air.

But wait... it’s not that hot here… why do I need ice?

We want to ensure that your items arrive in good condition- and are not melting in a hot truck. If the weather is over 70 degrees near you (or en route to you) we have to assume that inside a delivery truck it could be even hotter. Any chocolates, caramels, or baked item with frosting will need to arrive quickly (and with ice).

However, if we determine that ice is NOT required for your area, we will refund the additional charges. If you have any questions, please give us a call.

My product arrived damaged- what should I do?

Call us at 1-800-662-1812. If you have any questions or problems, we want to know about it! We will either replace the item or issue a credit. We may ask you to send us photos of the damage, or return the product so that we can see what happened, and hopefully prevent it from happening again!

I changed my mind- can I return my order?

All sales are final. Since we sell all food items, we cannot accept returns.

Will there be tax on my order?

Sales tax is only charged on orders of candy going to an address in Connecticut. All other items are tax free. Due to recent Supreme Court rulings this may be changing. We'll keep you posted!

Do you ship internationally?

Yes! Call us for rates.

OTHER:

Do you do custom or business gifts?

Yes, call us or send us an email telling us what us you are looking for, and we’ll get back to you. We can customize gifts to your specifications.

Can I add a gift message to my order?

Absolutely! We will enclose a card with your message in your gift package at no additional charge. We use real cards in real envelopes.

Do you offer gift wrapping?

Yes, we do. Gift wrap is available on most items for an additional $5.00 per item. We will choose an appropriate paper based on your gift message.

Who can I call with questions?

Call us here in Cornwall M-F 9-5, EST at 1-800-662-1812. You’ll probably talk to Cheryl. She can answer all of your questions, or help you select the perfect gift.

Can I come visit you?

Yes! We are located at 250 Kent Road S, in Cornwall Bridge, CT, just North of Kent on Route 7. We bake, package, and ship from here. We don’t have a large store, but you can purchase items from our location.